DONCASTER 15:45

Non Runners: ORDER OF ST GEORGE (IRE).

Time: 3m 7.15s Closing Sectional: (3f): 38.25s (100.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 101%

A race that will be remembered for the dual amendment of the result, the Stewards on the day determining that the cumulative effect of 2 bumps by Simple Verse cost Bondi Beach victory, that equivocal in itself, as highlighted by the initial decision being overthrown on appeal, but the controversy comes more when the decision is put in the context of the current climate of stewarding in Britain, whereby the interpretation of the rules gives an apparent weighty benefit of the doubt to the winner, disqualifications therefore few and far between, Bondi Beach himself on the wrong end of it at York, just one of numerous examples this year which made the initial reversal surprising if not wrong per se; in form terms it was an up-to-standard St Leger, no more than that, Simple Verse improving up to the level of the better colts, Storm The Stars not staying the trip so well as some, a proper test with the ground as it was and a good gallop set by Fields of Athenry.

SIMPLE VERSE (IRE) was very late on the St Leger scene, needing to be supplemented in (for £50,000) after looking a different filly again in the Lillie Langtry when signposting her stamina and class, the faith in her rewarded as she duly announced herself as a Group 1 filly, first past the post before losing it in the Stewards' room on the day, though connections will feel justice was served when they successfully appealed against a decision that looked harsh on the face of it, as even factoring in the interference to Bondi Beach she looked the best horse in the race; just a head between them at the line after the 2 incidents of bumping and barging, but it wasn't completely one-way traffic, Bondi Beach leaning in on her for a portion of the straight, Simple Verse pushing her way out, knocking him, 2f out, and bouncing into him again ½f out as the pair were engaged in battle, having it between them by then, Simple Verse holding the upper hand before and after that specific collision, and to conclude that Bondi Beach would have otherwise got by is to underestimate that Simple Verse was finding all the while, most responsive; she's come a long way since her debut in late-February, a case of the stiffer the test the bigger the breakthrough, and while she has a bit of ground to make up on Irish St Leger winner Order of St George, she should still prove a formidable force on the Cup scene next year.

BONDI BEACH (IRE) probably fortunate to be awarded the race initially, even if, following on from the Voltigeur, this is the second time a rival has prevented him getting a clear shot at it, debatable to what extent if any the interference has impinged on his performance, a case for saying he was second-best regardless on both occasions, the hampering more pointed and less sustained this time but crucially closer at the line than at York when ½ length off Storm The Stars; in touch and pushed along to cover that one's move 3f out, marginally ahead of Simple Verse then, legitimately keeping her in by holding his line until bumped by her 2f out, losing an edge he never got back, hard as he tried, getting another knock by the filly ½f out; that he overturned Storm The Stars from York had more to do with trip than any extra improvement on his part, but this might not be Bondi Beach's limit given who he's with and how few miles are on his clock.

FIELDS OF ATHENRY (IRE) did all he could with the tools he's got, an out-and-out galloper, making it a good test but swamped for speed 2f out, sticking to the task all the same, regaining third in the last stride as Storm The Stars faltered; he'll stay 2m but essentially his ceiling has been reached, short of the top level.

STORM THE STARS (USA) has been one of the staples of the season, still going strong at this stage, more than up to this job for class but just falling down for stamina at the end, looking the best horse for most of the way, the last off the bridle and briefly a couple of lengths to the good over 1f out, giving his all again but outstayed, even losing third at the line, the result on paper doing him a disservice, still rated just ahead of the first 2, remembering the Voltigeur; there's still a fair gap between him and the elite middle-distances horses, likely to feel that pinch again next year.

VENGEUR MASQUE (IRE) found this a bridge too far, as much for ability as stamina, progressing quietly at home in France but doing nothing to warrant a shot at a Classic, duly in a different race to the principals effectively, not laying a glove on them.

MEDRANO high point of the year (and career) at Hamilton in the summer has led him down a path way beyond his means, all the way to the St Leger via 2 trials, hooded and dropped out this time but keen again, not that it was his undoing, just not up to the task, no impact.

PROPOSED way out of his comfort zone, in terms of both class and probably stamina, left behind in the straight.